Diary Henry Arthur Goddard 1918 - Part 12

SECRET.
Copy No. 8 

NINTH AUSTRALIAN INFANTRY BRIGADE ORDER No. 24.

Reference Map:              Brigade Headquarters.

Sheet 62.D. 1/40,000.     14th April 1918.

1 (a). The 9th Australian Infantry Brigade (less

33rd Battalion, 2 Sections 9th Australian Machine Gun Company, and

9th Australian Light Trench Mortar Battery) will relieve the 175th

Infantry Brigade in the Left Sub-sector Reserve Line on the 15th

instant and night 15th/16th instant as follows :-

35th Bn. will relieve 9th Bn. London Regiment in the

Southern half of Left Sub-sector.

34th Bn. will relieve 10th Bn. London Regiment in the

Northern half of Left Sub-sector.

36th Bn. will relieve 12th Bn. London Regiment in

BOIS de BLANGY.

(b). Units will move in small parties to avoid

observation. 34th Battalion will not move before 4.30 p.m.
35th Battalion will not move before 5.30 p.m.

2. All shelters will be left standing in present

positions and will be handed over upon relief.

3.  Brigade Headquarters will remain at BLANGY-TRONVILLE.

4. Subject to the terms of this Order the relief will

be carried out under arrangements to be made direct between 

Commanding Officers concerned.

5. Orders for 9th Aust. Machine Gun Company will be

issued separately.

6. ACKNOWLEDGE.

J.H.F. PAIN.

Major

Brigade Major

9th Australian Infantry Brigade.

Distribution. 

Copy No.1-3 Brigade Headquarters.

4 Brigade Signal Section.

5 Brigade Transport Officer.

6 33rd Battalion.

7 34th Battalion.

8 35th Battalion.

9 36th Battalion.

10 9th Aust. M.G. Coy.

11 9th Aust. L.T M. Bty.

12 9th Aust. Field Ambulance.

13 869th Company A.A.S.C.

14 175th Infantry Brigade.
15 174th Infantry Brigade.
16 173rd Infantry Brigade.
17 58th Division.

18 3rd Aust. Division.
19 File.

20 -22 War Diary.

 

GENTILLEE

E. OF BOVES

AVRIL

1 Wounded

13 SAMEDI. 

Gentelles

Remained in position in T. II. till 3.p.m.

when Bn moved to position T^x 9. *Men

built shelters with branches of trees

in a little copse of young pines 

Very misty day. Visibility poor

A little rain during the night very cold.

Immense artillery fire on our front

*Orders to move to T. 14 9. east of BOVES

and did in were received per B.M. at 1. pm

This afterwards altered to T. 9. a. 7.7. to

T. 4 central

Men very wet and cold.

 

 

BOIS L'ABBE

AVRIL

14 DIMANCHE. 

One Company employed wiring posts.

Day very cold and windy. No casualties

Wind bitterly cold with driving rain.

Gen Rosenthal called warned me that we

are in the next stunt.

Men were very wet and cold last

night. They are doing their best to make

shelters out of twigs & branches of

the young pines. I have got hold of a

tent again this I am sharing with Bentine

Yates and Connell.

Warned to move on a line from

GENTILLES in [[shorthand]] 7.a to BOIS L'ABBE

in O 32 c. tomorrow, and take over 

from 9^h Londons.

BOIS L'ABBE

AVRIL

15 LUNDI. 

April 15.

10. a.m. To meet Gen Rosenthal on AMIENS

Road. re taking over new Line. Took Capt Yates

with me. I afterwards road over and reconnoitred

 the line then we rode to the Hqrs. 9th Londons

 in Gentelles Wood I am the Adjt. The Col was out

A little later the Hun opened a furious shelling

of Gentelles & Gentelles Wood blowing the Hqrs

out. We intended using this - but had to look

for a fresh place. For the time being I picked

on Bois de Blangy temporarily Before we

moved off the Col of 9th Londons - a charming

man) came up (about 5 p.m) and discussed the

takeover. At 6 p.m. I moved off with Capt

Connell. We had sent MacKenzie on with

Hqrs to pick a spot but his scouts failed to

see us on arrival at the Bois. We found it was

only a wood in name - being destroyed and

giving no cover from view. We walked a lot

trying to find a more suitable place, but as

it was nearly dark we sat down for the

night in a bit of scrub on edge of Bois l' Abbe

Very heavy shelling all round during

night which was very cold.

Our position in reserve line from GENTELLES

North to O.32. a central. My Hqrs at

N. 36. b. 13. Move complete 7.30. p.m

Our company (Blake's) is in the Bois

l' Abbe

 

 

BOIS L'ABBE

AVRIL

16 MARDI

Bois l' Abbe

The boys spent day improving their own

trenches. A little shelling was experienced

but we had two casualties only. (wounds).

Bn Moved Hqrs to a more central

position at O. 31. a. 7.3 in a little bit

of growth near the wood.

Very damp, bleak morning. Connell & Grant

went round line Latter reports Carr having breakfast

at 10.a.m. & had not organized his line.

nor did he know anything about it. Gen Rosenthal

was up while I was out looking for a site for

my Hqrs. The Hun landed some shells into

our bivouac at the time, landing them just as

I was coming in They only got one man of

36 Bn who are also bivouaced here. After lunch

Major Grant & I further reconnoitred for a Hqrs

site in the big wood. There was a half finished

Bde Hqr there dug in a quarry, but as it would only

give cover to a few decided that I would go out

into the open and all share alike and choose a 

spot between the Bois l'Abbe & Bois de Blangy

where a little stunted growth gave some

cover from view - It is on top of the hill and

quite in the open & plenty of batteries about

so will not be a very healthy spot,

though there will be less risk from

Gas than if we were in the wood.

At this time the enemy are shelling the

vicinity We got settled down in the

new location about 5 p.m. Sent a party

of 100 to Villers Bretonneux for cable

burying. _∧8.p.m. Good deal of shelling there.

At 11.30 p.m enemy commenced shelling

the batteries round us sending over a

continuous stream of low trajectory

H.V shells. which passed close over our

heads & exploded just beyond us.

They made awesome sounds but did

us no damage. Fell asleep in the

middle of it, so cannot say how

long he kept it up - Our batteries

were replying and it was a regular

counter battery duello.

Casualties 2 wounded.

 

 

BOIS L'ABBE

41 Wounded.

AVRIL

17 MECREDI

17 Apl.

From 4.a.m. to 8.a.m. enemy bombarded

wood with gas. Perhaps this is the greater gas

shell concentration of the war. The unbroken stream

of shells came over without the slightest intermission

They did a good deal of H.E shelling round

us during the day. At 5.p.m I was notified

that the 6 Londons had suffered heavily and

were out of action and that I took their place

as counter attack battalion to 174 Brigade.

I at once went with Major Grant and

reported to G.O.C. 174th Bde. He told me that

a prisoner had stated the Huns were to gas

V.Brettonneux and then attack round the

flanks. He told me that the Headquarters

of one of his battalion which took over my

billet at V. Brettonneux were all killed by a

shell there. The shell wiping out the lot Colonel. Major

& Adjutant &c. (Villa Yvonne).

The 33 Bn have suffered heavy casualties

in the town I believe over 400 have been gassed

including Col Morshead. Jones &c.

Enemy again concentrated gas shellg in

the wood at 4 p.m. and continued till 6.p.m.

an absolutely unequalled bombardment of gas.

Major Blake's Coy (D) have suffered considerably

so far he has evacuated 30 but more will

collapse later.

Enemy also heavily shelled our position

with H.E. and Gas. also Villers Brettonneux.

Bois l' Abbe, Bois de Blangy, Bois d' Aquenne.

& Cachy.

35 Bn casualties 15 day. 41 gassed & wounded

Enemy planes bombed us during night

 

3 Killed

4 wounded

BOIS L' ABBE

AVRIL

Apl. 18.

Shelling and gas were so lively no one got

any sleep Obtained disposition from 174

Bde at 5.a.m and got up then. Very heavy

artillery fire at this time, it looked like

the pending attack, but it died down

again. It is very wet and miserably

cold. At noon he got right amongst

us with H.V. shells. one came near enough

to throw the debris over me.

Interviewed tank officers. They came under

my orders for counter attack. There

are only 3 out of 6 tanks available.

The crews of the others were gassed

yesterday. Mackie also reports that of

the crew of the section of machine

guns allotted my only 3 men

remained, but later he replied that

he was able to make up with 

re-enforcements. At 12.30.p.m. the
 

 

 

BOIS L'ABBE

41 Wounded.

AVRIL

17 MECREDI

17 Apl.

From 4.a.m. to 8.a.m. enemy bombarded

wood with gas. Perhaps this is the greater gas

shell concentration of the war. The unbroken stream

of shells came over without the slightest intermission

They did a good deal of H.E shelling round

us during the day. At 5.p.m I was notified

that the 6 Londons had suffered heavily and

were out of action and that I took their place

as counter attack battalion to 174 Brigade.

I at once went with Major Grant and

reported to G.O.C. 174th Bde. He told me that

a prisoner had stated the Huns were to gas

V.Brettonneux and then attack round the

flanks. He told me that the Headquarters

of one of his battalion which took over my

billet at V. Brettonneux were all killed by a

shell there. The shell wiping out the lot Colonel. Major

& Adjutant &c. (Villa Yvonne).

The 33 Bn have suffered heavy casualties

in the town I believe over 400 have been gassed

including Col Morshead. Jones &c.

Enemy again concentrated gas shellg in

the wood at 4 p.m. and continued till 6.p.m.

an absolutely unequalled bombardment of gas.

Major Blake's Coy (D) have suffered considerably

so far he has evacuated 30 but more will

collapse later.

Enemy also heavily shelled our position

with H.E. and Gas. also Villers Brettonneux.

Bois l' Abbe, Bois de Blangy, Bois d' Aquenne.

& Cachy.

35 Bn casualties 15 day. 41 gassed & wounded

Enemy planes bombed us during night

18 Apr cont

enemy shelled our Hqrs. with H.V. H.E.

The second shells to arrive fell into the bush

under which Regt Sergt Major _∧(Campbell) was camped

Killing him and another and gravely

wounding three other Hqr details. Only

half an hour previously I had gone

over to them and told them they were too

close altogether and instructed them to dig

themselves little slits in the ground. The Gas

Corporal acted at once and he escaped - the

delay cost the others their lives.

The G.O.Cs 174 & 24 British Bde and Major

The C.O. 2 Middlesex came up at the

line with reference to relief Took to them into

my tent and discussed other maters. Also

someone from Corps called.

Padre buried S. Major Campbell &

Pte Jennings about 3.p.m. I attended the xx burial

They were buried where they were killed by

the roadside. Enemy continued to shell

from 5 to 6 p.m. concentrated gas shell. 

Enemy type of gas shell was used. At

about 10 p.m he again shell us including

my Hqrs. Things were pretty lively I

had a little slit about a foot deep dug in

the ground & slept in that. Got quite a good

nights rest. Casualties 35 Bn 3 Killed

4 wounded.

 

SECRET and CONFIDENTIAL.

NINTH AUSTRALIAN INFANTRY BRIGADE.

✓Lieut-Col H.A. GODDARD, D.S.O., 35th Bn.

Lieut-Col L.J. MORSHEAD, D.S.O., 33rd Bn.

Lieut-Col H.F. WHITE, D.S.O., 36th Bn.

Lieut-Col W.A. LeR. FRY, 34th Bn.

Lieut-Col A.F. JOLLEY, 9th Aust. Fld. Amb.

Brigade Headquarters.

17th April 1918.

Dear Colonel.

I am now in position to forecast the probable

moves of units of the Brigade in the near/future.

On the 20th and night 20th/21st April the 23rd

Infantry Brigade (8th Division) will relieve the 33rd Battalion

in VILLERS-BRETONNEUX and the 9th Australian Infantry Brigade

in Reserve Line Left Sub-sector. This Brigade will also take

over portion of the line held by 15th Aust. Inf. Bde. North of

the AMIENS - VILLERS-BRETONNEUX Road. Upon relief the 33rd

Battalion will, as far as is known, at present, move to LAMOTTE

(N.13.d.), whilst the remainder of the Brigade goes to CAMON

(M.16.). The 8th Battalion M.G. Corps will relieve the 9th

Aust. Machine Gun Company in the Left Sub-sector Reserve Line

and VILLERS-BRETONNEUX on the night 21st/22nd April. The 9th

Aust. Light Trench Mortar Battery will probably be relieved on

the night 20th21st April.

I do not desire you to pass this information

on to the men. It will not now be necessary, however, for you

to make extensive preparations for going into the line on the

lines which I discussed with you yesterday.

CharlesRosenthal

Brig.-Gen.

G.O.C. 9th Australian Infantry Brigade.

 

JB.

 

Evacuations for 17th April 1918

2761	Pte	J. Anderson	Wounded
2170	"	L.E. Wheeler	"	(S/W)
7321	"	F. SKINNER	"	"
1237	"	L.G. Spencer	Gassed
6798a	"	N. Ellis	"
6848	"	W. Webb	"
2382	"	A.W. Richards	"
1873	"	W.R. Gale	"
3319	"	M. Houghey	"
2135	"	A. Ross	"
3509	"	J. Gallagher	"
6860	"	P.A. Porter	"
1633	"	T. Crockett	"
1644	"	P. Finn	"
4365	"	W.J. Gibbett	"
1080	"	J.A. Brown	"
3047	Cpl	G.S. McCloy.	"
1923	Pte	M. Meehan	"
1865	"	J.P. Martin	"
3006	Sgt	A.E. Field	"
3287	Pte	A. Dean	"
3279	"	H. Cottell	"
1849	"	T. Ryan	"
1236	"	W.R. Scott	"

P.T.O.

 

Evacuations 17.4.18 (Contd).

1142	Pte	W.S. Harden	Gassed
1808	"	E. Grimes	"
1152	Cpl	W. Jackson	"
4400	Pte	J. Ryan	"
1077	Sgt.	G.R. Burgess	"
1909a	Cpl	T. Flynn	"
1279	Pte	T. Wilson	"
1884	"	J. Casey	"
1924	"	C.R. Whittle	"
2300	"	R.W. Cunningham	"
3233	L/Cpl	N. Ross	"
6631	Pte.	C.B. Williams	"
1092	Pte	J.M. Coleman	Sick
6909	"	J. Walker	"
1108	Cpl	J.P. Daley	"
581	Pte	W. Weston	"

	NCOs	O/R	Total
Wounded	-	1	1
"     S/W	-	2	2
Gassed.	5	28	33
Sick.	1	3	4
Total.	6.	34	40

 

Brigade HQ. Copy No. 12.

NINTH AUSTRALIAN INFANTRY BRIGADE OPERATION INSTRUCTION No.6.

Series "B".

GENERAL POLICY

1. The operation referred to in outline at Brigade conference

   held at Brigade Headquarters at 5 p.m. on the 14th instant is postponed

   until further orders.

   The main object of the postponement is to ensure that the

   wired defences of the Southern part of the Australian Corps front and

   on the front of the Canadian Corps are adequately dealt with, to

   ensure that the enemy's artillery defence can be effectively overcome,

   and to endeavour by more complete preparation to obtain the same degree

   of success as that which has characterized the action of the Australian

   Corps during its recent operations.

2. DEFENCE SECTORS. The Australian Corps front is to be

   held defensively within its present limits with three Divisions in

   the line South of the River SOMME. The Divisional Sectors will be

   known as "A", "B", "C" and "D" Sectors in that order from the right.

   "D" Sector will be held by the Liaison Force.

3. LIAISON FORCE. The Liaison Force will continue to hold

   its sector with the 13th Brigade on the left and the 131st American

   Regiment on the right, each with one Battalion in the line, one

   Battalion in support, and one Battalion in Reserve.

4. FIELD ARTILLERY. The distribution of Field Artillery

   will be six (probably five later) Brigades to "A" Sector, three

   Brigades to "B" Sector, five Brigades to "C" Sector, and three

   Brigades to "D" Sector. Remainder will be held in Corps Reserve.

5. PREPARATORY MEASURES. Preparations for the action will

   be continued. The Divisions to be employed in the battle are to be

   determined by the date finally selected.

   In order to secure and strengthen the battle front the

   nibbling tactics whih the Corps has employed throughout the summer

   will be continued in "B" and "C" Sectors. A map is attached which

   shows the general objectives which should be the aim of these tactics.

   The line shown in green represents the first phase, and the line

   shown in brown the completion. When these objectives/are secured

   further objectives will be considered.

   It is desired in this manner to obtain a strong position

   from which to continue the offensive, to secure adequate protection

   to the flanks of the offensive and to continue the pressure which is

   being exerted/on the enemy.

   Artillery activity in addition to ordinary protection will

   embrace the destruction of all wire shown within the limits of the

   objectives laid down for the battle and subsequent exploitation.

   It is considered that the interval allowed will permit

   of more complete preparation of counter-battery action.

6. HOSTILE ACTIVITY. Reports tend to show that the present

   enemy artillery activity is almost entirely based on the employment

   of larger calibre guns, such as 5.9" guns.

   The enemy has, however, employed heavy gas shoots on the

   front of the French, Canadian and III. Corps. It is therefore to be

   anticipated that these tactics will be pursued, and careful arrangements

   will be made with regard to all places likely to be objectives

   of artillery action of this nature. Troops should be withdrawn from

   woods and villages and from any other places whih it may be anticipated

   that the enemy will shell. Where carrying parties are required to

   pass through such localities, special measures will be prepared to

   ensure that they are checked and adequate police arrangements made

   in the event of a gas bombardment.